Extension rack assembly for consumer appliance and consumer appliance incorporating same

ABSTRACT

An extension rack assembly is mountable within and removable from a consumer appliance side walls. The extension rack assembly is movable between an overlapped position and an extended position. A mechanism is provided for automatically securing the extension rack assembly in the consumer appliance when the extension rack assembly within the side walls is moved from the overlapped position to the extended position and for allowing removal of the extension rack assembly when the extension rack is maintained in the overlapped position and slid from the side walls. The extension rack assembly may also or alternatively be configured to receive a rack in a first orientation having a first height within the consumer appliance and in a second orientation having a second height within the consumer appliance

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to extension rackassemblies for consumer appliances and relates more particularly toextension rack assemblies with automatic locking mechanisms for consumerappliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of types of sliding racks have been proposed for consumerappliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens. The most basicracks are constructed of metal rods (or wire) formed into a rack shape.The racks are slidable into an opening along elements either formed intoor attached to the interior walls of the consumer appliance. These racksare of solid, one-piece construction and have no moving parts. Racks aretypically slidably removable from an appliance cabinet for cleaningand/or for placement at one of multiple locations within the cabinet.Refrigerator or freezer racks and shelves may thus be attachable atmultiple locations depending on consumer preference. Racks within ovensare typically insertable at different heights within the oven to allowfor different cooking parameters.

Complimentary shapes such as stops, edges, lips, etc., may be providedon the racks and within the appliance cabinet as safety features toprevent the racks from inadvertently sliding completely out of thecabinet when not desired. This can be especially important for an oven,for example when an oven is heated and heavy items are located on theracks and then slid outward for inspection, manipulation or removal.

Some racks known as extension racks include multiple movable parts. Onepart of an extension rack is the main rack surface on which an item isplaced by a consumer, for example for cooking or storage. At the sidesof the extension rack are slides, one part being attachable to the mainrack surface and the other part being attachable to the appliancecabinet interior. The slide parts are movable relative to each other,often using ball bearings, to extend the main rack surface out of thecabinet. As above, at times it is desired to slide the main rack surfaceout partially, and at times it is desired to remove the entire rack fromthe cabinet, for example for cleaning or repositioning. Therefore, somesort of mechanism is typically included to hold part of the rack slidein the cabinet when desired.

In conventional rack slide assemblies, that mechanism must typically bereleased by the user, for example by moving a lever or the like on therack slide assembly, to free the device from the appliance cabinet. Thiscan be a complicated procedure and it may be difficult for a user tofind or operate such a mechanism. If the consumer appliance is an ovenwhich is hot, the user must be careful in effecting the release as therack assembly portions will also be hot. Accordingly, a rack slideassembly providing a secure attachment and ready removal from a consumerappliance would be appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

According to certain aspects of the disclosure, an extension rackassembly is provided for a consumer appliance, the extension rackassembly including a rack sized for placement within the consumerappliance and two rack slides. Each rack slide includes a first rackslide member attachable to a side edge of the rack and a second rackslide member attachable to a side wall of the consumer appliance. Thefirst rack slide members are slidable relative to the respective secondrack slide members between an overlapped position and an extendedposition. A latching mechanism is attached to at least one of the secondrack slide members, each latching mechanism including a lock bar havinga locking protrusion movable between a locking position and a slidingposition. Each latching mechanism includes a spring member urging thelocking protrusion toward the locking position. The first rack slidemembers locate the locking protrusion in the sliding position when therack slide members are in the overlapped position. The spring memberlocates the locking protrusion in the locking position only when therack slide members are in the extended position. Various options andmodifications are possible.

According to other aspects of the disclosure, a consumer applianceincludes a cabinet having side walls, a rack sized for placement withinthe cabinet, and two rack slides. Each rack slide includes a first rackslide member attachable to a side edge of the rack and a second rackslide member attachable to a respective side wall. The first rack slidemembers are slidable relative to the respective second rack slidemembers between an overlapped position and an extended position. Alatching mechanism is attached to at least one of the second rack slidemembers, each latching mechanism including a lock bar having a lockingprotrusion movable between a locking position and a sliding position.Each latching mechanism includes a spring member urging the lockingprotrusion toward the locking position. The first rack slide memberslocate the locking protrusion in the sliding position when the rackslide members are in the overlapped position. The spring member locatesthe locking protrusions in the locking position only when the rack slidemembers are in the extended position. Again, various options andmodifications are possible.

According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, an oven includesan oven cabinet having side walls and an extension rack assemblymountable within and removable from the oven side walls. The extensionrack assembly is movable between an overlapped position and an extendedposition. A mechanism is provided for automatically securing theextension rack assembly in the oven cabinet when the extension rackassembly within the oven side walls is moved from the overlappedposition to the extended position and for allowing removal of theextension rack assembly from the oven cabinet when the extension rack ismaintained in the overlapped position and slid from the oven side walls.As above, various options and modifications are possible.

According to still other aspects of the disclosure, an extension rackassembly for a consumer appliance includes a rack sized for placementwithin the consumer appliance and two rack slides. Each rack slideincludes a first rack slide member attachable to a side edge of the rackand a second rack slide member attachable to a side wall of the consumerappliance. The first rack slide members are slidable relative to therespective second rack slide members between an overlapped position andan extended position. The first rack slide members are configured toreceive the rack in a first orientation having a first height within theconsumer appliance and in a second orientation having a second heightwithin the consumer appliance. Again, various options and modificationsare possible.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front view of a cooking appliance with its doorclosed;

FIG. 2 provides a front view of a portion of the cooking appliance ofFIG. 1 with its door opened;

FIG. 3 provides a perspective front, close-up view of a portion of aninterior of the cooking appliance as in FIG. 2 with the extension rackassembly in an overlapped position and a locking protrusion in a slidingposition;

FIG. 4 provides a perspective front, close-up view of a portion of aninterior the cooking appliance as in FIG. 3 with the extension rackassembly moved to an extended position and the locking protrusion in alocking position;

FIG. 5 provides a top view of the extension rack assembly in theoverlapped position;

FIG. 6 provides a top view of the extension rack assembly in theextended position;

FIG. 7 provides a close up perspective view of a locking tab mechanismof an extension rack assembly;

FIG. 8 provides a diagrammatical view of the interaction of the lockingbar, camming surface and side wall during movement of the extension rackassembly between an extended position and an overlapped position;

FIG. 9 provides a diagrammatical top view of the extension rack assemblyshowing an optional reversible rack configuration;

FIG. 10 provides an end view as in FIG. 9 with the extension rackassembly in a low position; and

FIG. 11 provides an end view as in FIG. 9 with the extension rackassembly in a high position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a consumer appliance in the form of a cookingappliance, in particular a free standing range 10 including a cabinet 12that incorporates a generally rectangular cooktop 14. An oven 16 ispositioned below cooktop 14 and has a front-opening access door 18. Arange backsplash 22 extends upward of a rear edge 24 of cooktop 14 andcontains various controls, indicators, etc. 26 for selecting operativefeatures of heating elements for cooktop 14 and oven 16. If desired, thevarious controls can be integrated into a front or side portion ofcooktop 14. A drawer 28 may be provided to for storage or as part of abroiler. The construction and operation of the range, including thecontrols, oven and cooktop are believed to be within the purview ofthose in the art without further discussion.

It is contemplated that the present disclosure is applicable to any typeof cooking appliance, oven, stove or range, whether free standing, builtin, countertop or undercabinet, whether gas, electric, combinations,etc. Also, the present disclosure is applicable to other consumerappliances. Therefore, the rack assemblies disclosed herein could beemployed in refrigerated appliances such as refrigerators or freezers,or in dishwashers or other consumer appliances. No limitation on the useof the rack assemblies disclosed herein should be construed by virtue ofthe examples shown in the Figures using an oven within a range toillustrate aspects of the rack assemblies.

An extension rack assembly 30 includes a rack 32 sized for placementwithin interior side walls 20 of oven 16. Extension rack assembly 30includes two rack slides 34. Each rack slide 34 includes a first rackslide member 36 attachable to a side edge 38 of rack 32 and a secondrack slide member 40 attachable to one of the side walls 20 (See FIG.7). Side edge portions 38 may be detachable or permanently attached tofirst rack slide members 36. As shown in FIGS. 2-8, rack 32 includes aplurality of rods 42 extending between the rack assemblies 30 and weldedto the respective first rack slide members 36. However, it should beunderstood that rack 32 may be removable if desired.

Second rack slide members 40 are connectable in some way, eitherdirectly or indirectly, to side walls 20. Thus, as shown, side walls 20may include a number of channels 44 at different heights for receiving asub-rack 46 attached to second rack slide members 40. Channels 44 aredefined between adjacent ridges 45. Sub rack 46 includes cross portions48 connecting the two second rack slide members 40 for movement togetherjust as rods 42 of rack 32 connect the two first rack slide members 36for movement together. Sub-rack 46 also includes mounting portions 50along both sides of the rack assembly 30 for engaging channels 44 ofside walls 20. Mounting portions 50 may include an upturned rear stop 52and an upturned front stop 54 for interacting with correspondingportions of side walls 20. Rear stop 52 is present as a vertical stopthat engages the underside of formed channels 45 when rack 32 isextended and prevents the sub-rack 46 from moving vertically in therear. Front stop 54 interacts with a bumper 56 disposed in ridge 45along channel 44 to indicate to a user that rack assembly 30 is fullyinserted into the channels on side walls 20.

It should be understood that channels 44, stops 52 and 54, bumpers 56,etc., are not required. Therefore, rack slides 34 could be mounted inother ways, for example on rods extending from side walls instead ofwithin channels 44 formed by ridges 45, with or without stops andbumpers. Also, rack slides 34 could be attached directly to side walls20. Accordingly, various mounting methods are possible within the scopeof the invention, and describing the rack slide members as beingattachable to the side walls would incorporate any and all such methods.

The first rack slide members 36 are slidable relative to theirrespective second rack slide members 40 by virtue of a ball bearingassembly 58 attached between the rack slide members. The first andsecond rack slide members 36 are 40 are movable between an overlappedposition (See FIGS. 3 and 5) and an extended position (See FIGS. 4 and6) via relative sliding permitted by bearing assembly 58. When rackslide members 36 and 40 slide relative to each other, rack 32 andsub-rack 46 also move relative to each other accordingly. It should beunderstood that more sliding is permitted than shown in FIGS. 4 and 6,and that rack 2 can therefore move many more inches forward out of oven16. The orientations in FIGS. 4 and 6 are intended to show the point atwhich extension rack assembly 30 would become secured to the oven 16, asdescribed below.

It is also possible to use more than two rack slide members (for examplethree or more). In such case the first rack slide member would beattachable to the rack, the second rack slide member would be attachableto the side walls, and a third rack slide member would be between thefirst and second rack slide members. In such case two bearing assemblieswould be required (between the first and third rack slide members, andbetween the third and second rack slide members). Similarly, a fourthrack slide member could also be added. In any event, describing theassembly as having first and second rack slide members does not limitthe assembly to two such members, and only refers to the members thatare positioned as described.

A latching mechanism 60 is attached to each of the second rack slidemembers 40. Each latching mechanism 60 includes a lock bar 62 pivotallymounted to second rack slide member 40, for example via a plate 64having extending arms 66, 68 and an axle 70 therethrough. Arms 72 and 74of lock bar 62 are also connected to axle 70. Lock bar 62 has a lockingprotrusion 76 movable between a locking position (FIGS. 4 and 6) and asliding position (FIGS. 3 and 5). Each latching mechanism 60 alsoincludes a spring member 78 urging locking protrusion 76 toward thelocking position. The first rack slide members 36 locate the lockingprotrusions 76 in the sliding position when the rack slide members 36and 40 are in the overlapped position (FIGS. 3 and 5). Spring members 78locate locking protrusions 76 in the locking position only when the rackslide members 36 and 40 are in the extended position (FIGS. 4 and 6).Locking protrusions 76 contact stops 80 along side walls 20 when rackassembly 30 is located fully within side walls 20 and the rack slidemembers 36 and 40 are slid apart. FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show thepositions of stops 56 and 80 that are on the ridge 45 below side rods 50(as opposed to those that would be on the ridge above and would becontacted by the depicted stop 54 and locking protrusion 76) for clarityof illustration. Camming surfaces 82 on first rack slide members 36contact a cam follower 84 on lock bar 62 to define the pivot motion thatspring member 78 dictates as the lock bar moves to the sliding position.The camming surface 82 causes locking protrusion 76 to not contact stop80 when the rack slide members 36 and 40 are in the overlapped positionand allows the locking protrusion 76.to contact the stop when the rackslide members are moved to the extended position.

In other words, when rack slide members 36 and 40 are first slidtogether into the side walls 20 (in or eventually into) the overlappedposition as in FIG. 5, locking protrusions 76 are in an unlockedposition. Accordingly, by sliding rack assembly 30 out of side walls 20without relative movement between rack slide members 36 and 40, rackassembly 30 can be slid freely from walls 20. This would typically bedone by grasping rack assembly 30 by the front so that rack 32 andsub-rack 46 move together as a unit. Thus, rack assembly 30 will slidefreely though channels 44 and out of side walls 20.

However, when rack slide members 36 and 40 are located fully withinchannels 44 and side walls 20, and the rack slide members are slid apartto the extended position as in FIG. 6, camming surface 82 will slideforward and cam follower 84 will pivot under influence of spring member78, causing locking protrusion 76 to be immediately pivoted outward tothe locked position. Locking protrusion 76 thus will be extended so thatany pulling transmitted to second rack slide member 40 will be halted bystop 80 contacting locking protrusion 76. Stop 80 should thus be locatedalong channel 44 at a location corresponding to a desired stopping ofsecond rack slide members 40. Typically, that desired location would bejust forward of locking protrusion 76 when rack assemblies 30 areproperly and fully inserted into channels 44.

It should be understood that only one latching mechanism 60 could beemployed on only one side, if desired. Also, it should also beunderstood that latching mechanism 60 can be attached to second rackslide member(s) 40 directly or indirectly. Therefore, latching mechanism60 being “attached to” second rack slide member 40 would also includethe latching mechanism being attached to something attached to and/ormoving along with the second rack slide member, such as sub-rack 46 orany other structure.

Oven side walls 20 are typically constructed of metal with aporcelain-enamel type coating. Accordingly, the contact between sub-rack46 and channel 44/ridges 45 will create higher frictional forces thanare provided by smooth rolling ball bearing assemblies 58. Therefore,when a user pulls on rack 32 with rack assembly 30 fully inserted intochannels 44, first rack slide members 36 will move relative to secondrack slide members 40 as bearing assemblies 58 provide low friction andsub-racks 46 will stay substantially motionless within channels44/ridges 45. Camming surfaces 82, which before movement had pushed camfollower surface 84 outward so as to pivot locking protrusions 76 awayfrom side walls 20 by overcoming spring members 78, will slide away fromthe cam followers allowing the spring members to pivot the lock bars 62.Locking protrusions 76 will then pivot outward to a position where, ifsecond rack slide members 40 were slid along channels 44, stops 80 willcontact the locking protrusions, thereby holding the second rack slidemember in place.

FIG. 8 shows, from left to right, the pivoting inward of lockingprotrusion 76 when the rack slide members 36 and 40 are moved from theextended to the overlapped position (for example by pushing in rack 32).From right to left, FIG. 8 shows the pivoting of lock protrusion 76outward to a locking position that occurs when rack slide assemblies 36and 40 are slid apart (for example by pulling out rack 32).

Such contact therefore prevents the entire rack assembly 30 from beinginadvertently slid out of side walls 20. The extension of lockprotrusion 76 happens somewhat automatically as rack 32 is grasped andslid outward, due to differences in frictional characteristics betweenparts. No lever, button or other release is required to slide rack 32outward, as with previous designs. Therefore, inadvertent accidents orburns due to complicated removal or sliding procedures are unlikely. Bygrasping both rack 32 and sub-rack 46, rack assembly comes right out. Bygrasping only rack 32, lock protrusions 76 spring outward after onlyslight motion, allowing rack 32 to move forward to the limits of thebearing assemblies 58.

Therefore, the above locking bar 62, spring 78 and camming structure 82,84 provides a mechanism for automatically securing extension rackassembly 30 within side walls 20 when the extension rack assembly ismoved from the overlapped position to the extended position, and forallowing removal of the extension rack assembly from the side walls whenthe extension rack is maintained in the overlapped position and slidfrom the side walls.

FIGS. 9-11 show a variation in which rack assembly 130 includes aremovable rack 132. Rack 132 is mountable between rack slides 134 asabove, with a sub-rack 146, bearing assemblies 158, locking bar 162,camming surface 182, etc. Therefore, the operation of rack assembly withreference to mounting within side walls is the same as above.

However, rack assembly 130 includes receivers 133 (such as u-channels asshown) on first rack slides 136 for receiving rack 132 in twoorientations. Rack 132 also includes two side extensions 135 at itsedges perpendicular to main rack surface 137. Rack 132 can therefore bemounted at either of two heights relative to rack slides 134. For anoven, that can allow for different baking configurations by changingonly the position of rack 132, not the whole rack assembly. Therefore,added adaptability and functionality are provided by such structure.

It should be kept in mind that the above rack assemblies and theirvarious components are not limited to a particular type of oven, or toan oven for that matter. Such assemblies could be used with any type ofconsumer appliance.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

1. An extension rack assembly for a consumer appliance, the extensionrack assembly comprising: a rack sized for placement within the consumerappliance; two rack slides, each rack slide including a first rack slidemember attachable to a side edge of the rack and a second rack slidemember attachable to a side wall of the consumer appliance, the firstrack slide members being slidable relative to the respective second rackslide members between an overlapped position and an extended position;and a latching mechanism attached to at least one of the second rackslide members, each latching mechanism including a lock bar having alocking protrusion movable between a locking position and a slidingposition, each latching mechanism including a spring member urging thelocking protrusion toward the locking position, the first rack slidemembers locating the locking protrusion in the sliding position when therack slide members are in the overlapped position, the spring memberlocating the locking protrusion in the locking position only when therack slide members are in the extended position.
 2. The extension rackassembly of claim 1, wherein each first rack slide member includes acamming surface and each lock bar includes a cam follower, the lockingprotrusion position controlled at least in part by the interaction ofthe camming surface and the cam follower.
 3. The extension rack assemblyof claim 2, each camming surface being configured so that movement ofthe rack slide members from the extended position to the overlappedposition automatically moves the locking bar to the sliding position byovercoming the spring member.
 4. The extension rack assembly of claim 2,each camming surface being configured so that movement of the rack slidemembers from the overlapped position to the extended positionautomatically moves the locking bar to the locking position via thespring member.
 5. The extension rack assembly of claim 1, the rackslides being configured to be freely slid from the consumer appliancewhile in the overlapped position with the locking bar spaced from theoven side walls.
 6. The extension rack assembly of claim 5, wherein therack slides may be freely slid from the consumer appliance while in theoverlapped position without releasing an engagement between the lockingbar and side walls.
 7. The extension rack assembly of claim 1, the rackslides being configured to be fixed within the consumer appliance whilein the extended position due to contact between the locking bar and theside walls.
 8. The extension rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstrack slide members are configured to receive the rack in a firstorientation having a first height within the consumer appliance and in asecond orientation having a second height within the consumer appliance.9. A consumer appliance comprising: a cabinet having side walls; a racksized for placement within the cabinet; two rack slides, each rack slideincluding a first rack slide member attachable to a side edge of therack and a second rack slide member attachable to a respective sidewall, the first rack slide members being slidable relative to therespective second rack slide members between an overlapped position andan extended position; and a latching mechanism attached to at least oneof the second rack slide members, each latching mechanism including alock bar having a locking protrusion movable between a locking positionand a sliding position, each latching mechanism including a springmember urging the locking protrusion toward the locking position, thefirst rack slide members locating the locking protrusion in the slidingposition when the rack slide members are in the overlapped position, thespring member locating the locking protrusion in the locking positiononly when the rack slide members are in the extended position.
 10. Theconsumer appliance of claim 9, wherein each first rack slide memberincludes a camming surface and each lock bar includes a cam follower,the locking protrusion position controlled at least in part by theinteraction of the camming surface and the cam follower.
 11. Theconsumer appliance of claim 10, each camming surface being configured sothat movement of the rack slide members from the extended position tothe overlapped position automatically moves the locking bar to thesliding position by overcoming the spring member.
 12. The consumerappliance of claim 11, each camming surface being configured so thatmovement of the rack slide members from the overlapped position to theextended position automatically moves the locking bar to the lockingposition via the spring member.
 13. The consumer appliance of claim 9,the rack slides being configured to be freely slid from the cabinetwhile in the overlapped position with the locking bar spaced from theside walls.
 14. The consumer appliance of claim 9, the rack slides beingconfigured to be fixed within the cabinet while in the extended positiondue to contact between the locking bar and the side walls.
 15. An ovencomprising: a cabinet having side walls; an extension rack assemblymountable within and removable from the oven side walls, the extensionrack assembly movable between an overlapped position and an extendedposition; and means for automatically securing the extension rackassembly in the oven cabinet when the extension rack assembly within theoven side walls is moved from the overlapped position to the extendedposition and for allowing removal of the extension rack assembly fromthe oven cabinet when the extension rack is maintained in the overlappedposition and slid from the oven side walls.
 16. The oven of claim 15,wherein the means for automatically securing and allowing removalincludes at least one latching mechanism attached to the extension rackassembly for selectively engaging the side walls.
 17. The oven of claim16, wherein the latching mechanism includes a locking bar and a springmember, the spring member urging the locking bar toward a lockingposition.
 18. The oven of claim 17, wherein the extension rack assemblyis configured to automatically move the locking bar away from thelocking position when the extension rack assembly is in the overlappedposition.
 19. An extension rack assembly for a consumer appliance, theextension rack assembly comprising: a rack sized for placement withinthe consumer appliance; two rack slides, each rack slide including afirst rack slide member attachable to a side edge of the rack and asecond rack slide member attachable to a side wall of the consumerappliance, the first rack slide members being slidable relative to therespective second rack slide members between an overlapped position andan extended position, the first rack slide members being configured toreceive the rack in a first orientation having a first height within theconsumer appliance and in a second orientation having a second heightwithin the consumer appliance.
 20. The extension rack assembly of claim19, wherein each first rack slide member includes a receiver forreceiving the rack in either one of two possible orientations.